“In my classroom I do sometimes use cooperative learning. Although I teach a 3rd grade class. The receive below grade level, at grade level, and above grade level on their grade cards. I do cooperative groups when we are doing scientific experiments (what impact does friction have on a moving object). In my classroom they do not receive a group grade. They did the experiment together and had to analyze the data on their own.
My daughter goes to a private school and cooperative learning is there in their reading program - individual unit tests and a “group” project on say, Sequencing. They use Foundations & Frameworks.
http://www.briarwoodchristianschool.org/content.asp?id=87132
It’s okay. Luckily we have a bright child and she cruises through it. I think it would be more beneficial to kids who have reading and comprehension issues. It is useful in presenting concepts in flow charts. It also uses repetition questions for the various comprehension concepts.
“As for math, I do not use everyday math. My student are just now learning their multiplication facts. (no 9x9 estimation) We have NO calculators. The students work every problem out and I hand papers back if they do not show their work. I want them to know how to get the correct answer.”
That’s not allowed at her school either. It’s memorization. I don’t like their curriculum - SAXON.
What text do you use for Math? What is your opinion of Saxon? I’m thinking about supplementing her with a Houghton Mifflin Math book. I find Saxon to be too SLOW in moving on and their word problems to be too easy and a cookie cutter approach.
“In English, we use Shurley English. My 3rd graders know noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and object of the preposition. I also do not accept answers that are not in complete sentences. The students will be handed back their paper and write it again.”
LOL!!! So does my daughter’s school - complete with jingles! Ditto ... .
“Furthermore, on every spelling test the students have two of the States names. I also show them where the state is on the map and a few facts about the state. Anything we are learning and if they mention a place, I will show it to them on a map or globe.
Yeah, we’re doing the states and capitals, locations etc.. We just finished up a poster on Alaska. Sounds the same as her class.
If you don’t mind my asking, what book do you use for Science?
“This saying of course, I have very conservative values. For the article, believe the education system today is failing because of where education starts... in the home. Teachers have all of these standards to follow... parents have none. If parents would care about their children at home, it would help the education system out greatly. The students who succeed greatly in my class have very involved parents. Those who don’t, I usually stay with after school or before school to help them get caught up.”
I hear ya! I am a stay at home Mom and I keep after her. I am blessed that she’s a smart kid. As for other kids it varies there ... .
It’s easy to pick out the kids of divorced parents and easily see the impact of that ... it’s sad. IMO it is not up to teachers to raise the kids too! The advantage we have is that if kids are acting up in serious ways, they WILL and are asked to leave.
I’d appreciate your feedback on my questions. My daughter is also in 3rd grade.
My husband is an engineer and other engineers who he’s talked to about Saxon Math who know about it, say it is the absolute best math curriculum for practical use in the real world.
What grade level math is your daughter doing? When my kids were in 3rd grade, we started them on Math 54. Yes, there is a lot of repetition and it seems to move slowly at times, but I’ve found that by the time they are done with it, they KNOW the math. My daughter got well over a 700 on the SAT Math section (I don’t remember her exact score). Both my son and daughter, who have taken Physics, have done very well in the Physics as well, in large part because of their proficiency in math.
And I learned a lot. All that math that they tried to shove down my throat in high school that I didn’t learn finally made so much sense. I found the lessons very well and clearly explained, and that from an adult perspective. I think Saxon is great. My kids did well with it and it helped me tremendously.
Sounds like a good private school. I agree that small group work for reading would be more beneficial for those who are struggling at their level. For those at grade level or above, I’m sure they would wizz through it and rather do more independent work and would benefit from that instead of being at their classmates pace.
We use Mcgraw-Hill math books. It is a great series. This is the first year for them. I have activities for students at all levels. Therefore for my high achieving students I can keep them challenged. I am actually not too familiar with SAXON math.
For Science, I rarely use the book in my classroom. I actually use the library and find book I like in there. For my unit about “why things move” I found a great book from the library.
It is so great that you are able to work with your daughter so much! That is awesome. I hope that when I have children I will be able to stay at home with them. I truly believe that benefits the child greatly!
How do you feel about Shurley English? This is my second year using it. Its great they are learning how to diagram sentences, but I’m not sure it is helping their writing.